By: ESI Africa

The project is part of a seven-plant network aimed at boosting electricity access and reducing carbon emissions.

The Bailundo Photovoltaic Park in Angola's Huambo province was inaugurated in early September. This 370MW facility marks the completion of a network of seven solar parks constructed by MCA Group and consortium partner Sun Africa.

The combined network of solar plants is intended to:

• Supply power to approximately 2.4 million people.
• Reduce carbon emissions by about one million tonnes per year.
• Cut diesel use by around 1.4 million litres.

The other six plants in the network are:

• Biopio (188MWp)
• Baía Farta (96MWp)
• Saurimo (26.14MWp)
• Luena (26.9MWp)
• Lucapa (7.2MWp)
• Cuito (14.65MWp)

The plants are spread across several Angolan provinces, including Benguela, Huambo, Bié, Lunda Norte, Lunda Sul, and Moxico. They form a key part of Angola’s national strategy to shift toward sustainable energy and reduce reliance on diesel generators and thermal power.

The municipality of Bailundo, with a population of approximately 373,000, has faced significant challenges with an irregular energy supply and frequent blackouts. The new photovoltaic park is expected to stabilize the local grid and democratize access to electricity.

According to the World Bank, Angola’s electricity access rate was 51.1% in 2023. The country's government has set a goal to achieve a 60% electrification rate by 2025.